MaraNatha Creamy Almond Butter: Labelgrade B+ (80/100)
B+ 80 / 100 — Strong protein density (18.8g per 100g), clean ingredient list, and substantial fiber.
🛒 Buy on Amazon →The short answer
MaraNatha Creamy Almond Butter delivers 6g of protein and 190 calories per 2 Tbsp (USDA FDC 1867208). Per 100g that’s 18.8g of protein; per oz, 5.3g. The Labelgrade is B+ (80 / 100): Strong protein density (18.8g per 100g), clean ingredient list, and substantial fiber.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | B | 78 / 100 | 18.8g per 100g — strong for this category |
| Ingredient quality | A- | 86 / 100 | Short 4-ingredient list, no additive flags |
| Saturated fat load | C | 64 / 100 | 2g per serving (6.3g per 100g) — meaningful saturated fat load |
| Sodium load | B+ | 81 / 100 | 60.2mg per serving (53mg per oz) — moderate |
| Sugar load | A- | 88 / 100 | 3g sugar; USDA omits the added-sugar line, but the ingredients list a sweetener — scored as added, not naturally-occurring |
| Fiber | A+ | 96 / 100 | 3.01g per serving — excellent, particularly in this category |
| Overall | B+ | 80 / 100 | Weighted blend: protein 25% · ingredients 22% · saturated fat 18% · sodium 15% · sugar 12% · fiber 8% |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Per 100 g | Per oz | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MaraNatha Creamy Almond Butter (this product) | 6g | 18.8g | 5.3g | 190 |
| 365 Everyday Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter | 7g | 21.9g | 6.2g | 210 |
| Justin’s Classic Almond Butter | 7g | 21.9g | 6.2g | 190 |
| Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter | 7g | 21.9g | 6.2g | 210 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast (benchmark) | — | 31g | 8.8g | ~165 |
The cane sugar is the one thing holding it back
MaraNatha’s ingredient list reads almonds, organic unrefined cane sugar, palm oil, sea salt — and it’s the second item that defines this jar’s grade. The almonds are real and lead the list, the palm oil is a standard anti-separation stabilizer, and the pinch of sea salt is what makes it taste a little more finished than a plain jar. But the cane sugar is what keeps this a notch below an unsweetened almond butter. It’s only 3g of sugar a serving — a quarter of what a dessert spread carries — yet on a food whose whole appeal is being “just nuts,” any added sweetener is the line between top-tier and very good. That single ingredient, not the protein or the fiber, is why this scores B+ instead of higher.
To be clear about proportion: 3g of added sugar is a small thing, and this is still a genuinely good spread with 6g of protein and 3g of fiber. If you like a slightly sweeter, smoother almond butter and you’re comparing it to a typical supermarket jar, MaraNatha is a clear step up. The only shopper who should reach past it is the one optimizing for a completely unsweetened label — and for them, an almonds-and-oil (or almonds-only) jar is the better match.
How it tastes and where it fits
The added sugar and salt aren’t only a scorecard footnote — they’re why this is the easy-eating, kid-friendly end of the almond-butter shelf. The sweetness rounds off almond’s faintly bitter edge, and the result spreads smoothly and tastes “done” straight from the jar, which makes it a natural fit for toast, sandwiches, apple slices, and lunchboxes. That same sweetness is the reason it’s a less ideal pick for savory cooking, where you’d want an unsweetened butter for satay sauces or dressings so the sugar doesn’t compete with the salt. And as with every nut butter, the calories are concentrated: 190 per 2 tablespoons means it rewards a measured spoon over an eyeballed slather.
Scope
This page covers MaraNatha Creamy Almond Butter (12 oz/340 g), UPC 011213185002, as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 1867208. MaraNatha sells multiple variants in this product line — other sizes, flavors, or fat levels may have different macros and Labelgrade scores. Manufacturers periodically reformulate; always cross-reference the actual package label, especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
DRY ROASTED ALMONDS, ORGANIC UNREFINED CANE SUGAR, PALM OIL, SEA SALT
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Labelgrade score is independent of affiliate relationships. More.
🔬 Compare this product side-by-side with any other →
Quick Facts
Per serving · 2 Tbsp
See how this fits your day — protein calculator · macro calculator
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (2 Tbsp) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 |
| Protein | 6g |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.01g |
| Total Sugars | 3g |
| Sodium | 60.2mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 80mg |
| Iron | 1.08mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Creamy Almond Butter (12 oz/340 g) · UPC 011213185002. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains no listed animal products
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MaraNatha Creamy Almond Butter healthy?
It's a solid whole-food spread: almonds first, with 6g of protein, 3g of fiber, and almond's healthy fats and vitamin E per 2-tablespoon serving. The honest knock is the third ingredient, organic cane sugar, which adds 3g of sugar a serving. That's a small amount, but it's the one thing standing between this jar and an unsweetened almond butter — and it's why this lands at B+ rather than higher. Like all nut butters, it's calorie-dense at 190 calories a serving.
Almond butter or peanut butter — which is better?
Both are strong whole-food protein-and-fat spreads, and the difference is modest. Almond butter brings a bit more fiber and vitamin E; peanut butter usually brings a bit more protein per dollar. With this particular jar, the more useful comparison is sweetened vs. unsweetened: MaraNatha adds a little cane sugar, so if you're choosing strictly on label cleanliness, an unsweetened almond or peanut butter edges it out.
Does MaraNatha Creamy Almond Butter have added sugar?
Yes — organic unrefined cane sugar is the second-listed ingredient after almonds, accounting for the 3g of sugar per serving. The USDA Branded Foods entry doesn't break out an added-sugars line, but because a sweetener appears in the ingredient list, we score that sugar as added rather than naturally-occurring. It's a small amount, but it's a real difference from a jar that's just nuts and oil.
Why does MaraNatha score B+ and not higher?
Protein density, fiber, and the short ingredient list all score well, and sodium is moderate. Two dimensions hold it back: the palm oil contributes saturated fat (scored a C), and the added cane sugar pulls the sugar dimension down from a perfect mark. Drop the sugar and this would grade a touch higher — that one ingredient is the difference between this and an unsweetened jar.
What is a serving and how many calories is it?
A serving is 2 tablespoons (32g), which is 190 calories. That's standard for almond butter; nut butters generally land around 190–210 calories per 2 tablespoons because they're concentrated fat and protein with almost no water.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-05, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 1867208. We re-verify top-traffic pages monthly and update within 7 days when a manufacturer reformulates.